Get Covered Illinois call center to extend hours

CHICAGO — Illinois officials are reminding people without health insurance to sign up for coverage before the end of the month to avoid facing a tax penalty.

A call center for people with questions about insurance coverage is extending its hours ahead of the March 31 deadline.

Officials announced Thursday the Get Covered Illinois help desk will take calls from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to midnight March 29-31.

The phone number is 866-311-1119.

The nation’s new health care law requires most Americans to get health insurance. People without insurance can be fined either 1 percent of income or $95, whichever is greater, when they file their 2014 federal taxes.